Troopships and the Regiment

The 70th Regiment return from New Zealand (NZ)

The 70^th Regiment was the first regiment sent from India to the relief of the NZ colonists. It embarked for NZ on the 22^nd February 1861, and landed in Auckland on the 13^th May, under command of Colonels Galloway and Chute. Cholera had unfortunately broken out during the voyage and 31 deaths had occured (26 men, 4 women and 1 child) all from that disease. On their arrival the 70^th were sent to make the military road to the Waikato until 4^th June 1862. On 3^rd November 1861, 100 rank and file, under command of Major Ryan, proceeded to Otago. They remained in Otago until June 1863. and then rejoined the headquarters at Taranaki. They were at the action at Katikari on 10^th June 1863 under General Sir Duncan A Cameron, K.C.B.

Extract from the Southern Cross newspaper, New Zealand 1866.

The headquarters division of the 70^th Regiment embarked on board the ship Ida Zeigler, 868 tons, Captain Reynolds yesterday for transport to England. Companies, A, B, D, E and G, which compose this division, marched in from Otahubu, yesterday arriving in Auckland shortly after noon, and after passing through the barracks proceeded to the wharf. Colonel Gamble, CB Deputy-Quartermaster-General, acted as embarking officer. Colonel Mould, RE, was also present. The men were taken to the vessel in Captain Casey’s boats. 307 rank and file embarked, including invalids, and 40 women and children. There were a large number of people on the wharf to witness the embarkation. The remaining companies of the 70^th are to be conveyed in the Siam and will march in from Otahuhu in a few days. The Ida Zeigler will probably take her departure on Thursday.

The following names of the officers proceeding to England in the Ida Zeigler.

Colonel T E Mulock, CB.		Lieutenant H F Greatwood
Captain H J Hill		Ensign L Hornby
Captain H Leake		Paymaster Thomson
Lieutenant and Adjutant W S F Fenneran		Quartermaster Nevell
Lieutenant C R Tylden		Major Strange of the 14th Regiment
Lieutenant R S Green		Major Turner of the 65th Regiment

Southern Cross Saturday 6^th January 1866.

The chartered troop transport ship Siam, Captain Ashby, embarked the balance of HM 70^th Regiment, under orders for England, yesterday afternoon, and will take her departure from these waters this afternoon or early tomorrow morning.  She clears at the Customs this morning, with 100 tons kauri gum, 500 bales wool, 100 tons Commissariat goods and the following passengers:

Major Greaves Brevet (in command)

Captains Tighe and Roger

Lieutenants Huskisson, Collins, Cuppage and Howard

Ensigns Leonard and Travers

Assistant-Surgeon Hesson

11 sergeants

15 women

21 children

The Siam will be finally inspected this morning at 11 o’clock by Captain Spain, RN, Resident Transport Officer at this port, after which she will drop down the harbour, ready to take her departure. Nearly 500 souls on board.

Movements of the 31^st and 70^th Regiments

The 31^st moved from Kilkenny, embarked at Queenstown on 1^st June 1867 and arrived in Malta on the 22^nd June. On the 28^th February 1873 the 31^st embarked on HMT Jumna for Gibraltar and on arrival took up quarters in Buena Vista Barracks.

The 2^nd East Surreys moved from India, Bombay to Suez on the Himalaya. The battalion disembarked at Suez on 26^th September 1884 and moved to Cairo. The woman and children of the regiment continued home to England on the transport Himalaya.

 

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